The amendment regulation allowing New Territories taxis to access the new air passenger terminal at the airport using specified routes is expected to take effect in the third quarter this year, the Environment, Transport & Works Bureau says.

The Road Traffic (Registration & Licensing of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulation 2006 has been gazetted today. The Secretary for the Environment, Transport & Works will set its commencement date to tie in with the opening of relevant roads at the new air passenger terminal.

The bureau said the move follows the amendment regulation made to permit NT taxis to serve Hang Hau MTR Station and Hong Kong Disneyland last year.

The Transport Department consulted the taxi trade on the proposals to revise the operating areas of NT taxis to enable them to access the new air passenger terminal at the airport in November, 2004. The trade welcomed the proposals, while the urban and Lantau taxi trades did not raise any objection.

The Transport Advisory Committee and the Legislative Council Panel on Transport supported the proposal when they were consulted on January 7 and February 2 last year.